Overview & Reviews

Chevrolet sells an impressively wide range of vehicles, from subcompact hatchbacks to huge vans and SUVs. If you're looking for a reasonably priced vehicle, odds are that Chevy will have something to fit your needs.

Chevrolet got its start in 1911. After William C. Durant had been ousted from General Motors, he joined forces with Swiss-born racecar driver Louis Chevrolet to found the Chevrolet Motor Car Company. The company's first offering was the Classic Six. Introduced in 1912, this five-passenger touring sedan could top 65 mph, fast for the time. Chevrolet's storied bowtie logo -- reportedly inspired by the wallpaper of a Paris hotel room that Durant stayed at -- made its first appearance in 1914.

By 1918, Chevrolet's profitability allowed Durant to purchase enough shares in GM to regain control. Chevrolet became another division of GM, and was its largest volume division by the mid-1920s. By 1927, Chevrolet outsold rival Ford, with sales in excess of 1 million units.

In the mid-1930s Chevrolet introduced independent front suspension, which provided a smoother ride over the rough roads of the day. The 1940s saw continued success with affordable coupes, sedans and pickup trucks catering to American families, farmers and businessmen.

By the mid-1950s, Chevrolet, GM's entry-level division, had added a V8 engine, power steering and brakes, power windows and air-conditioning to its list of available features, allowing luxury for those on a tighter budget. Around this time the iconic Bel Air model -- available in coupe, sedan, convertible and wagon body styles -- proved very popular. The company introduced its alluring Corvette in 1953; the vehicle was the first mass-produced car with a fiberglass body.

The 1960s saw the unveiling of the popular, air-cooled Corvair compact, which held the distinction of being the first domestic production car with all-around independent suspension. That decade also witnessed the launch of the compact Nova, the midsize Chevelle and the sporty Camaro, the latter Chevrolet's answer to the wildly successful Ford Mustang. The Camaro proved an instant hit, comprising 10 percent of Chevrolet's total sales in 1967, its first year of production.

In the 1970s, Chevy responded to changing preferences by introducing small cars like the Vega and the Chevette, and by downsizing larger models such as the Caprice and Malibu. The company combated the market domination of foreign nameplates in the 1980s by rolling out the Cavalier. By the end of that decade, trucks and SUVs had started to become increasingly popular with the general consumer, and the brand's mid- and full-size models continue to this day to be some of the most popular on the road.

The '90s and the early 2000s saw the company raising the performance bar with its Corvette (notably the Z06 and, later, ZR1 variants) and reincarnated Impala SS. Chevrolet's Silverado pickup truck and Tahoe/Suburban SUVs continued to be hits as well. By 2010, the Camaro had returned to the lineup after a seven-year hiatus.

Modern times have seen Chevrolet make significant improvements in its small and midsize car models and introduce the Volt plug-in hybrid. The latter provides a nearly 40-mile range on electric power alone, and adds to the company's already well-rounded lineup of cars, trucks and SUVs. Though today's marketplace is very demanding, Chevrolet seems poised to remain a power player through its affordable and innovative vehicles.

User Reviews:

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  No:1 truck to buy - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By homealone069 - April 11 - 2:09 pm

  I have a 2006 Silverado Pickup,2500 HD 4x4.Ive owned chevys most of my life,because of the performance,and reliability.This truck from the first day going out hunting,going through scrub-oak,blazing new trails,climbing the sides of mountains on the nastiest roads you ever want to imagine,going through water 3 feet deep,and it keeps on going.When I needed the power it was there,wether pulling a trailer up 6% grades in 6"s of mud,and it never quit.Ive done all these things will my truck,and its still in great shape,and it has never been in the shop for any malfunctions.They just need to make the front bumper narrower,and raise the truck about 2"s higher.Thats the only change there shouldbe

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  Has its flaws but amazing overall - 1994 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Craig - April 11 - 12:53 pm

  Owned the car about a year now and have had basic things go out due to their age. Car gets up and goes and just wants to keep going. My car was involved in a crash and sustained minor front end damage and my rear tires have little to no tread and my foot is made of lead so I dont get the gas mileage I should

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  Basic Pickup - 2006 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Tim - April 11 - 11:28 am

  When I was looking for a basic small regular cab, I4, 5 speed 4x4, I would have bought a Toyota, Nissian, or Ford (anything but a Dodge). Every one I looked at could not compare to the price of the Colorado.I was suprised with the standard options on it for the price,$13,000 with 24,000 miles. I havent had any problems with it in the 6 months Ive owned it. Im very satified with it, for a basic truck you cant complain about fit and finish and power for this price. The 5 speed is an overdrive and when I drop it in 4th there is enough power to merge on the highway. If you want bigger, faster, better, more power, youre going to pay for it. I will keep this truck until it goes to the junkyard.

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  Highlander vs NOX - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By FCA - April 10 - 10:00 pm

  I had 01 Highlander with 200k and needed to replace the engine! I ordered the Nox and compared to the HL the Nox wins in all catigories expect cargo volume. Very quite, smooth, solid vehicle. Seems to ride bigger than it is. Not sure about the mileage yet only have 336kls on it.

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  Nice car but has some problems - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
  By bryan - April 10 - 9:50 pm

  Have 70k miles on it, has a rattle that wont quit, remote start works most of the time but is getting worse, turns over just isnt firing. Electric power steering has completely quit working on a 250 mile trip, started working 10 miles from the dealership, quit working again today from work to home, they said since I have been reporting lots of the same problems they will fix it. They also told me one time at 40,000k that my injectors were leaking, they dont even now how the car works that they make, it idles high in mornings or when its cold to warm up faster, and they wanted me to pay for it, it also eats the inside of the front tires like candy since it was new.

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  Why did i buy this? - 1995 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Nick - April 9 - 8:45 pm

  I bought this truck for $2,500 back in 2006. I have put money into it than what I bought it for. Brakes 3 times, and theyre going again, water pump, heater core, ABS brakes dont work, 4wd doesnt work. Seat motor died, driver side window motor is dying. Both mirrors dont work electronically. Also, I had to replace my washer fluid pump, but the back windsheild washer still doesnt work, also replaced exhaust. Also, the frame rusts and paint chips off. Bad MPG as well. Word of advice...dont ever ever ever buy one unless you have the money and patience to maintain it

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  So Far So Good - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Chris - April 9 - 6:06 am

  I havent had any problems yet knock on wood. I had to replace all 4 brake rotors and pads is all. Good luck to the rest of you.

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  So Sorry Now - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By So Sad - April 8 - 7:44 pm

  I purchased my 1999 Malibu used. It was a toss up between a Malibu and an Alero. I should have gone with the Alero. The first three years were great. These last three years have been nothing but repair after repair. I have maxed out credit cards and my Malibu is still not fixed. It has been sitting in my garage since September of 2007. I dont dare drive it. I can not be guaranteed that it will start or that it will not stall while I am driving, as it has done on a number of occasions. I cant afford to have my mechanic try to fix what is wrong, even though it should be fixed by now after all the money he has charged me. He cant figure it out either.

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  2005 Colorado - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Brad Wilson - April 8 - 1:13 pm

  This vehicles performance is much less than I expected. Gas mileage is nothing to brag about. The four wheel drive buttons are poorly designed in there location. The engine noise is terrible. And because of being unable to keep the front end lined-up, your tires only last around 15,000 miles. I will never again purchase a small Chevy pickup.

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  Rocky from the OC in California - 2007 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Rocky - April 8 - 11:18 am

  I went from a 2001 ZO6 to a 2007 coupe. The coupes ride is signifigantly smoother than the ZO6 and I recommend the coupe as a daily driver vs ZO6. The coupe is very powerful & styling cant be beat. I receive a lot of turned heads & waives from other Vette drivers. Gasoline mileage is good not great, lots of cargo space but interior fit & finish lacking. Has been in and out of the shop for warranty issues cigarette lighter not working - glove box open/close latch keeps breaking - cheap plastic. Removable top, although light in weight for its size, needs two people to safely taking on-off. As a previous owner of a ZO6 Id opt for the coupe every time as ZO6 is designed for racing.